***PRESS RELEASE***
TIP LEADS TO AMPHETAMINES, GAMBLING AND MARIJUANA AT FOUR GIBSON COUNTY CONVENIENCE STORES
GIBSON COUNTY, TENN. – Drug Task Force Director Johnie Carter says his Agents seized misleading and illicit pills, illegal marijuana and slot machines at four convenience stores throughout Gibson County after receiving a complaint from a customer.
Drug Task Force Agents were notified by Humboldt Police Chief Kenny Rich, II that he had received a complaint from a citizen that the citizen had gone into the Maverick at 2329 Eastend Drive and was offered “Marijuana” by the clerk who also allegedly invited the customer to smell the product. Chief Rich, a former Supervisory Special Agent for the Task Force then contacted Agents to pass on the complaint.
An undercover Agent of the Task Force went to the store and was also offered “marijuana” and invited to smell the product. The Agent purchased a package of the marijuana for $45.00 in marked cash. The product was tested by the Tennessee Dangerous Drugs Task Force and found to be considerably over the limit of THC. Agents then began investigating and found out that the owner also owned three additional stores in the County. Undercover Agents went to the other three stores and purchased the same product for the same amount.
On December 10th, Agents raided the 4 stores seizing 4 slot machines, 96 amphetamine pills, 4 pounds of marijuana, 55 counterfeit tablets believed to be sildenafil, four slot machines and approximately $8,871.00 in proceeds. Prior to raiding the fourth store, the owner was tipped off, went to the store and cleared out shelves full of marijuana and amphetamines as well as the store’s safe before fleeing the scene.
Two men were arrested and two more are being sought in connection with the criminal enterprises. Charges thus far include, Possession of a schedule II and VI drugs with intent to sell, aggravated gambling promotion, felony drug paraphernalia, money laundering and tampering with evidence. This investigation is ongoing and more suspects and charges are expected to be forthcoming.
The stores that were raided were as follows:
1. Maverick – 2329 Eastend Drive, Humboldt
2. Little General – 210 Hwy 79, Gibson
3. Marathon – 1013 N 1st. Street, Milan
4. Maverick – 1103 W. Vanhook, Milan
This case is being prosecuted by the Office of the District Attorney General, 28th Judicial District, Frederick Agee. Agents were assisted by all 3 divisions of the Drug Task Force, Humboldt Police Department, Gibson Police Department Milan Police Department, Tennessee Dangerous Drugs Task Force and Tennessee Counterdrug Task Force.
Drug Task Force Director Johnie Carter said, “This is a great example of teamwork where a member of the community was able to expose an entire criminal network just by having the courage to come forward and say something and that something caused the dominos to begin to tumble.” “I am proud of my Agents’ investigatory skills in uncovering this ring and pursuing those responsible.”, he added.
